Sega Ships Golden Axe: Beast Rider in North America

October 14, 2008

SEGA SHIPS GOLDEN AXE: BEAST RIDER TO
RETAILERS IN NORTH AMERICA

Classic SEGA Arcade Franchise Reborn on
Next-Gen Consoles

SEGA® of America, Inc. today announced that
Golden Axe: Beast Rider™ for the Xbox 360® and the PLAYSTATION 3 has shipped
to retailers in North America. Golden Axe: Beast Rider delivers an unparalleled
gaming experience following the exploits of Tyris Flare, the original heroine
from the arcade classic and features five playable beast characters that enhance
Tyris’ ability to lay waste to her enemies.

Golden Axe: Beast Rider is a re-imagination of
the original SEGA arcade classic that debuted in 1989. Tyris and her Assyrian
Priestess brethren are the stewards of the last remaining titan in the world.
The evil Death Adder has sent his minions to capture this last titan for
sacrificial use. With the use of the five playable beasts, Tyris sets forth on
an adventure to rescue the dragon titan and thwart Death Adder’s nefarious
plans.

“We’re extremely excited that Golden Axe: Beast
Rider’s debut on today’s powerful next-gen systems is finally upon us,” said
Sean Ratcliffe, Vice President of Marketing, SEGA of America, Inc. “The
re-imagining of the franchise with Golden Axe: Beast Rider has brought about
gameplay and graphical advancements that the original Golden Axe developers
could only dream of back in 1989, while at the same time has paid homage to its
classic arcade past and we’re sure fans will enjoy this new chapter in the
Golden Axe saga.”

Golden Axe: Beast Rider contains numerous legacy
items that are sure to please fans of the original arcade game. Tyris has access
to five different beasts, the Abrax, Lynth, Miragore, Krommath and the Megabrax.
Each has their own unique skills and powers that Tyris can take advantage of to
cover large expanses of territory and deal gory blows upon her enemies. The
health and mana dropping gnomes are back, with the addition of three other
gnomes that drop items that either help or hurt Tyris on her adventure. Tyris’
magic spells draw their lineage from the magic spells she cast in the arcade
classic. The Golden Axe: Beast Rider world is expansive and fans of the series
will recognize numerous landmarks, such as the massive titan skeletons.

Golden Axe: Beast Rider for the Xbox 360® video
game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PLAYSTATION®3 computer
entertainment system is available now in stores nationwide. Golden Axe: Beast
Rider is rated M for Mature.